Best Dog Training Tools to Make Training Easy For You

Getting a new dog is so exciting! However, it’s also nerve-wracking as you want to do everything right. Buying the best dog training tools is an essential part of that. You’ve got the food, the dishes, the bed, the cute outfits, and the toys. All the best toys. Squeaky toys, and stuffed animal toys, and interactive toys, and rope toys, and treat dispensing toys.

Don’t let all the joy and excitement of bringing home a new canine family member overshadow one fundamental truth: your dog will need training. Oh, and the best time to start that training? Now. Your new dog is going through a transition right now, so make training a part of it from the start. Otherwise, you will both have difficulty when you start training him later.

Training can be made much easier by using the proper tools for your dog.

Best Dog Training Tools: Training Collars

Training collars for dogs are at the top of the list when it comes to the best dog training tools. If your dog is relatively submissive and compliant by nature, you may not need a training collar. Start out with a regular collar and/or harness first. Spend some time working with your dog on the leash. You should expect your dog to walk beside you, not out in front of you.

When looking for the best dog training tools, keep in mind that your leash for walking should be short and not pulled tight. When you leave to go on your walk, expect your dog to wait for you to step outside first. This starts your walk with you in a dominant position and your dog in a submissive one.

While working with dogs, it should always be your goal to be calm and authoritative. If you find that your dog is headstrong and not giving in to your expectations, then yes, the best dog training tool will be a training collar.

The best dog training collar

Slip training collar

A slip collar is one of the best dog training tools. When your dog pulls against a slip collar, the collar tightens around his neck until the pulling stops. It is essential to use a slip collar correctly to avoid injury to your dog. When a dog begins pulling on a slip collar, you should quickly tug the leash to the side once or twice. This will still tighten the collar, but will also disrupt the dog’s balance and break his focus on whatever has him distracted from the walk.

If you pull straight back on the slip collar, it will only encourage your dog to yank more to try to get away. This can result in pulled or torn muscles or even a collapsed trachea. Always make sure a slip collar is high on your dog’s neck. This is the most sensitive area of the neck, so the dog is less likely to pull enough to injure itself. Any dog breed that is prone to breathing problems, trachea issues, or those with elongated necks should not be trained with slip collars to avoid injury.

This video explains how to use it:

Prong training collar

Another of the best dog training tools is a prong collar. This collar is similar to a slip collar in that it tightens when a dog pulls against it. Also, a prong collar utilizes a set of metal teeth on the inside. These teeth are thought to mimic a mother dog nipping her puppy in the neck to correct behavior. A pulling dog will be “nipped” by the prong collar before he injures himself by pulling too hard. Prong collars look scary, but they are less likely to result in a dog hurting himself than a plain slip collar is.

However, if your dog does not have severe issues with walking on a leash, you should never use a slip collar or a prong collar. While they are some of the best dog training tools, you should only use them for training in severe cases.

Electric training collar

An electric collar is often referred to as a shock collar. These collars usually come with invisible fence systems to keep your dog in your yard. Also featured is a manual mode, where you can use a remote control to deliver an electric shock to your dog when he misbehaves. On most collars, it warns the dog with a beep before a shock. The idea is that once a dog learns that the beep will be followed by a shock if he persists.

These a the best dog training tools for animals who love to bark or run away and have not responded to initial behavior modification attempts.

Watch this video:

Training leashes are very important

It would be quite difficult to train your dog to walk properly without a leash. Leashes can be combined with a regular flat collar, a slip collar, a prong collar, or a harness. It is important to lead your dog with confidence when walking him. Train your dog from the beginning to follow behind or beside you. Do not let him take the lead, pull the leash, or step out of the door before you. Your dog should not be in control at any time. You should be. Practice walking with your dog at least twice a day. If you are able, take him out on the leash every few hours until he gets the hang of meeting your expectations.

Long line

A long line is a very long leash. This permits you to train your dog as if he were off-leash, but still have control over where he goes. Long lines allow you to train your dog to stay at a long distance, to come when called, or to detect scents. These are the best dog training tools when you are busy inside and want to allow for contained free play outside. A long lead should not be used to leave a dog outside alone for extended periods of time, overnight, or during cold or wet weather.

Use a clicker to train your dog

A clicker is merely a small plastic device that makes a loud clicking sound when you push the button. A clicker provides positive reinforcement to let your dog know when he has performed the desired behavior. Just give your dog a command and wait for him to comply. As soon as he does what he was told to do, push the button on the clicker, and immediately provide a reward. Soon, your dog will become addicted to clicks and do whatever it takes to hear the sound your clicker makes.

Treats will be essential while training

Positive reinforcement, such as clicker training, only works when there is a reward involved. Dogs are food motivated animals. The best way to get them to perform the behaviors you desire is to reward them with treats. Don’t use the same treat you use for bonding with your dog for training. Buy separate treats only for training your dog. Training treats should be smaller than normal treats, so your dog will want more. You don’t want your dog to be full after one treat and stop responding to your commands.

Use a target stick

Target sticks teach your dog to walk to a certain spot without being controlled on a leash. Many trainers start by attaching some kind of treat or peanut butter to the end of the target stick. They then allow the dog to sniff out the treat and once he touches the target they sound a clicker or praise the dog and offer a small treat. Eventually, your dog will follow the target stick and will be able to walk off-leash without running away and disappearing.

Barriers are a must!

Barriers are important when housetraining your dog. A baby gate can block your dog from accessing areas where he isn’t allowed. A crate can keep your dog from having unsupervised access to your house while you’re away or asleep until he can be trusted to behave as expected. Barriers should not be permanent fixtures in your home. They should be mere training tools to teach your dog boundaries until he can be trusted to roam freely without damaging your home.

You Have All The Tools You Need

Dogs are a fun addition to the family, but they require a lot of work and attention. An untrained dog will be stress to your life and your family’s life. If you want a dog, but you don’t have time for proper training, reconsider. It would be unfair to a dog to be expected to behave to your standards without first being trained in how to do so. Wait until you have the time, effort, and money to truly provide everything a dog needs to thrive before owning one. There will be dogs who need homes available when you’re ready.